Winnipeg, Canada — Mourning and calls for justice filled the air outside Portage Place mall as a community gathered to honor the memory of 28-year-old Briannah Clowes, whose life met a tragic end on Oct. 31. Clowes, a mother of four, was remembered by her family and friends during a candlelight vigil in the same area where she was discovered with life-threatening injuries just a week prior.
Family members, including Clowes’ 11-year-old son, and supporters held candles, sang prayers, and laid flowers beneath photographs that captured happier moments of her life. The poignant vigil highlighted both her life’s impact and the heartache felt by those she left behind.
Briannah’s sister, Shauna Clowes, depicted her as a person of honor and kindness, essential characteristics of a woman who fiercely loved her children and had surmounted early life challenges. Shauna reminisced about her younger sister who became a mother at just 16 but continued her education, achieving her diploma and later becoming a healthcare aide after studying at Red River College.
“She was not just striving for herself but for her children as well,” Shauna said. “She had dreams, and it’s devastating that she was taken from us so brutally.”
The attendees included Daniel Flett, Clowes’ former partner and father of her oldest son, who shared memories of Briannah as a loving, optimistic individual who consistently sought the best in life. “Her presence was a source of brightness,” Flett expressed, marking the heavy emotional toll her passing has inflicted on the family.
Also present was Kasandra Flett, an aunt of Clowes’ eldest child, who spoke about the transformation and resilience Briannah showed throughout her life. She emphasized that the vigil aimed to honor her memory as a life well lived, beyond the tragedy that ended it. “We want her remembered for her life, not her death,” Kasandra stated.
As the community grapples with the tragedy, feelings of grief are compounded by unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of Clowes’ untimely death. Shauna Clowes echoed the anguish and confusion permeating her family, as they struggle to understand the reasons behind the violence that took Briannah away from them.
Authorities have since arrested 32-year-old Ryan John Kennedy, charging him with second-degree murder in connection with Clowes’ death. According to police, Kennedy was known to Clowes, although the specifics of their relationship and the events leading up to the incident remain under investigation.
While the legal proceedings slowly unfold, Briannah’s family and friends are making a plea for justice, emphasizing the impact of her loss on her children and the broader community. They also express a strong desire for her to be remembered as a person who lived a meaningful, albeit tragically brief, life.
The vigil not only served as a moment to honor Briannah Clowes but also as a stark reminder of the impact of violence and the enduring scars left on loved ones reeling from sudden loss. As candles flickered in the dusk, the collective mourning underscored an urgent call for answers and actions that might prevent future tragedies.